Lola Leu-Goedeker, 97 - April 11, 2007

Lola E. Leu-Goedeker, 97, of Hayes Center, died Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at her ranch west of Maywood.
Services were held on Saturday, April 7, at Adams & Swanson Chapel with the Revs. Eric Meissner and Jim O’Kane officiating. Burial was at the Maywood Cemetery.
Leu-Goedeker was one of four children born to John Roy and Margaret Corlett Leu on April 25, 1909, in Hayes County. She attended country school then attended the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis.
In the midst of the great depression, she being in her 20s, started her own ranch known as the Tail Holt Ranch. She was the owner/operator of the ranch for over 70 years, until her death.
During World War II, she took an active part with the war effort and always felt very patriotic and supportive of our troops, according to family members.
On Jan. 7, 1959, she was united in marriage to Waldo G. Goedeker. The couple were married for 25 years.
Leu-Goedeker was a hard working, determined and progressive thinking woman with a great inner-strength to persevere where others may have failed, said family members.
Over the years, she helped many young people in their pursuit of an education. She was a contributor to the Leu Scholarship Foundation and in 1984, she was named one the 50 American Heroines in the Ladies Home Journal.
?She served as president of the Federated Garden Clubs of Nebraska, was on the board of directors of the National Council State Garden Clubs, a member of the Leu Foundation, the Nebraska Council Statewide Arboretum—which she helped establish, the Nebraska Cosmetology Association, Central Nebraska Judges Council, Small Business Association, the American Legion Auxiliary, National Nebraska Wildlife Association, Nebraska Chapter of the Blue Star—which she helped establish, the Stock Growers Association, National Cattleman’s Association and the Red Angus Association. She was also an avid Husker fan, according to family members.
Leu-Goedeker was preceded in death by: her parents; sisters—Gladys Vissor and Edna Nelson; brother, Si.
Survivors include: Harold Chessmore of Hayes Center, whom she thought of as a son; numerous cousins and multitudes of friends and acquaintances.
A memorial has been established. Condolences may be shared online at: www.adamsswanson.com.

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